IntelEfficient
Promoting Efficiency and Sustainability through the Intelligent use of Energy and Information
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3 Comments
Photo by Michelle Meiklejohn, courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Since most of us spend an average of 90 percent of our time indoors, it’s important to create a healthy environment in which to live. While we may not have enough control or influence over our work environment, we can certainly make healthier decisions about our homes.
Many newer homes are built much “tighter” than usual so that they are more energy efficient. This means they are well-sealed to minimize leaks that lets heat escape in the winter, or intrude in the summer. On the other hand, older homes have the equivalent of a small window open at all times, given all the leaks around doors, windows, vents and other penetrations to the building envelope.
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No CommentsWhen Rick & Debbie Massimi’s 15-year old air conditioning system began to fail last year, they weighed their options to maintain the aging equipment or invest in a newer, more efficient system. With an all-electric home, they had high energy bills in the summer and even higher costs in the winter. “I wanted to reduce the amount of energy I was using for environmental reasons, but I also wanted to reduce my electric bill,” he said. They considered a traditional heat pump, but ultimately chose a geothermal system.
